The city of Naples was transformed into an epic street party on Thursday when Napoli became the champions of Italy. Roads were filled with people singing, dancing and hugging one another, while children played football around them. People jumped in fountains in jubilation, while others waved huge Napoli flags as they darted about on their scooters. The joy was palpable as the final whistle was blown in their game at Udinese, with Napoli’s 1-1 draw enough to clinch the Serie A title.
The whole city has been decorated in readiness for the party: blue and white flags and festoons hang above the narrow streets. Life-size cardboard cutouts have popped up in the city centre. There are cakes, pastries, drinks, ice creams dedicated to the players. People from all over Italy and countries including France, Spain and the UK travelled to Naples to soak up the spectacle.
This is a party 33 years in the making. The last time Napoli won the Serie A title was 1990 – when Diego Maradona was captain. His face is painted on bar windows, bumper stickers and billboards. A giant mural of him towers above a shrine dedicated to him. And above it is a sign that says ‘Dios’ – the Spanish word for God. Many have this week been gathering around his shrine to lay flowers and light candles.
The turning point came in 2004 when film producer Aurelio de Laurentiis bought the club. He created a team that is wonderful to watch and knew he could depend on the unconditional love of an entire city, on a fan base that is so devoted.
This win is about so much more than football. It’s a symbol of the inequality between Italy’s wealthy north and the poorer south. Young Neapolitans are often forced to emigrate to northern Italy in search of a job and a better life, and so for them, winning the league is a form of social revenge against the superpowers of the north.
When Naples won the league thanks to Maradona, the city had been destroyed by a violent earthquake a few years previously. The win with Maradona represented a rebirth for Naples after a time of extreme difficulty. Today’s victory represents the consecration to a success that Naples has been experiencing for several years.
For Neapolitans, football is almost a religious experience. It goes even beyond religion; what they are doing here is like a ritual. They are praying for Diego Maradona, as if he were a saint. It’s crazy and they love it. This party is going to go on for at least a month and it’s an amazing feeling: Neapolitans put love in everything they do, including football.